Jaguar Land Rover has launched a research project to develop clever new tech that will offer drivers a 360-degree view out of their vehicle, uninterrupted by windscreen pillars.

According to the firm, a screen would be embedded in the surface of each pillar inside the car and would take a live video feed from cameras covering the angles outside the car usually obscured in the blind spots.

Pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles would be visible all around the car. And by combining the transparent pillars with a heads-up display, the movement of other road users could be highlighted to the driver with an on-screen ‘halo’ moving across the car’s virtual windscreen.

When the driver indicates to change direction, when they move their head to look over their shoulder during an overtake manoeuvre, or as the vehicle approaches a junction, the system would automatically make the left or right-hand side pillars transparent.

Commenting on the technology, Dr Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our ultimate aim is to reduce road accidents and enhance the urban driving experience. The Jaguar Land Rover research team is developing this technology to improve visibility and to give the driver the right information at the right time.

“If we can keep the driver’s eyes on the road ahead and present information in a non-distracting way, we can help drivers make better decisions in the most demanding and congested driving environments.”